My old dog suddenly wont go outside

This is a discussion on My old dog suddenly wont go outside within the Dog Training and Behavior forums, part of the Keeping and Caring for Dogs category; I got a new puppy in late april. (Good Friday to be exact) I have an old dog, 11yrs old. Every morning i get up ...

I got a new puppy in late april. (Good Friday to be exact) I have an old dog, 11yrs old. Every morning i get up and let them both outside. Some days when i go to work i let them stay outside all day. My old dog has always loved being out in the yard, some days i've had to MAKE him come in. Three days ago i went to let them out and he wouldnt go. i finally had to put the leash on him and walk him out to the yard. Then next day he refused again. again, it took the leash to make him go out and do his business. He NEVER messes in the house. then yesterday, he went out just fine. was almost eager. This morning, again, i had to take him out on the leash. Today was very stormy so i left them in the house rather than outside. When i got home from work, again, the old man refused to go out and do his business. I cant begin to fathom why he's suddenly, after 11+ years of liking to stay out in the yard, balking at going out. we've had this pup for 2 months, could it be the pup? its been pretty rainey here the last week or so, could he be sensing the stormy weather approaching?

nope not round here.
to make things even more confusing, this morning i asked if they wanted out, he just looked at me. so i touched his collar, only touched it, and he went right out. no problems. on a side note, its not overcast or rainey today. i know he hates rain.... i wonder if he's sensing the storms.

Is your old dog showing any other signs, like not eating well or sleeping more than usual? Maybe a trip to the vet wouldn't be such a bad idea. Sudden changes in behavior are often medically related.

The only other thing I can think of, is maybe being outside all day long with a rambunctious young spirited puppy is wearing on the old timer. Does he have a place outside that he can escape to, and not be bothered by the pup? Something he can get up on that the pup cant? idk

no other symptoms that i've noticed. he has arthritis and i think cancer. He's too old to subject to cancer treatment anyway... and i really dont have the funds for such treatments(tho i'd manage if i had any hope it would do anything but cause him discomfort)... so i have not had any definitive tests done. I know his days are numbered. I've tried to make sure he has great quality of life for his remaining days, but really that's all i can do for him. I was told, many years ago, that with him being a larger breed and having sharpei in his bloodline, that i could only expect him to live til around 10 or so. I would like to avoid a vet visit because it stresses him terribly to go in the car and his vet is over 30 mins away.

it could be that outside he gets annoyed by the pup. I am just confused by the inconsistent behavior. One day he goes out fine, then suddenly he refuses for some random reason. also, it just started, after 2 months of spending everyday with the pup that i'm at work. when i'm home, its his "off duty" time. i keep the pup near me so he can have some down time.